INNOTEX UPC

Innotex Center

INNOTEX Center was founded in 2013 as a result of the integration of CTF UPC, the Intexter Institute and CRIT UPC. The Center benefits from the considerable industrial experience and knowledge of these three entities. INNOTEX Center is a leader in research and development for general industry that draws on years of university-business collaboration in the fields of textiles, toxicology and the environment.

INNOTEXCENTER has cross technological capabilities and experience in the development of projects in three main areas:

TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY

• Structure and properties of textile materials.• Textile biotechnology, enzyme and biopolymer applications to fibres.• Development and application of elastic filaments.• Design and construction of prototypes of new yarn, fabric and non-woven fabric structures for fashion, domestic, technical and smart technology uses.• Use of microcapsules in the spinning process (containing perfumes, medicines, cohesive materials, lubricants, wetting agents, photostabilizers and other products that give the materials specific properties).• Innovations in the processes of spinning, bleaching, dyeing and finishing.• Optimization and evaluation of detergents and the application of surfactants and polymers to textiles.• Construction of textile machinery and measuring and control equipment.• Analysis of fibres, yarns, fabrics and non-woven fabric structures. Official reports on defects.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH TOXICOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY

• Basic and applied research on environmental aspects: toxicology and microbiology.• Product safety and formulation according to European directives.• Detection of biofilms on surfaces, biodegradation of polymers and disinfection strategies.• Study of cell changes caused by the action of drugs, contaminants and microorganisms.• Ecotoxicology of chemical and biological contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial environments.• Physiological and histopathological effects on aquatic organisms.• In vitro toxicity tests using cells and alternative systems.• Biochemical and enzyme studies of xenobiotics.• Development of new toxicity and viability assays.• Studies of toxicity, bioaccumulation and biodegradation of potential chemical and biological contaminants in industrial products and diverse materials.• Study and development of biosensors.• Analysis of specific biomarkers.

INNOTEX CENTER holds over 20 patents, most of which are in use by companies, and has one spin off.

INNOTEX CENTER produces marketable prototype s, since it has several industrial pilot plants and a machine shop for prototyping. Its approach is interdisciplinary, which facilitates the development of multi-sectoral applications.

For example, INNOTEX CENTER’s developments and technology can be applied in the following industrial sectors: